Hey, Meltzer! It's me again, Benny Stango I'm worried about you Mark, and with the case goin' nowhere, I'm gonna come down tonight and pay you a visit, Don't worry, nothin' about the investigation, can't make heads or tails outa what you tell me anyway, just a friend helpin' a friend. I'll see you tonight about seven.
At seven on the dot, Stango arrived on Mark's front steps, bearing his normal attire, a bottle of whiskey and the usual fatigued smile. He barely knocked when he heard the fumbling of several locks and the door opened, revealing an equally tired and worn man.
"Mark." The detective nodded by way of greeting, brushing past the brunet and into the dim house.
"Jesus, buddy, turn some lights on." Benny said, tripping over something, trying to find a wall switch. Shuffling around in the dark, he managed to find one "Here we go…"
Beside him, Mark grunted as the sudden light temporarily blinded them. When Stango finally could see clearly, he gasped. From the ceiling to the floor, the walls were covered in maps, tide charts, letters, receipts, pictures, and notes upon notes.
Benny's heart clenched, taking in the empty glasses, the dirty plates. The man living here had truly lost everything. "Mark…." He started, not knowing what to say afterwards, and turning to his companion.
The father was silent, face hidden in shadow, his body trembling. Hey, Meltzer!" The man was crying! Benny mentally slapped himself, how could a detective not clearly see how broken the man before him was, couldn't piece together all the blatant clues that showed the fragility and suffering of the other.
"C'mere, Mark… It'll be okay…." With a hand around his waist, Benny escorted him to the couch. "You can just lie here," he sighed, allowing Mark to rest his head on the detectives shoulder.
Mark may have mumbled a thank you, an apology or a prayer, but Stango couldn't figure out which, not that it mattered anyway.
And so Mark cried his heart out, and even after he had no more tears to spill and his body shuddered, he barely moved. Looking down at the other man, Benny never felt compelled to move him; it felt good to help, in these small little ways.
After what seemed like hours, he checked his watch, 2 o-clock 'Shit' he thought, knowing he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. "Meltzer…" murmuring the others name, Stango prodded him awake. Mark slowly opened his hazel eyes, groggily looking up into Benny's blue.
"Sorry bud, But I have to go, I-" Stango didn't get anymore past that out, his words trapped as Mark's mouth met his in a slow and lingering kiss. When they finally broke apart, there was something in Mark's eyes that hadn't been there previously.
"Thanks Benny… It was good to have someone here."
The detective replied with a genuine smile. "It's no Problem Meltzer, You get some rest."
Mark, just nodded, closing his lids, and settling back into sleep.
On his way out, Benny turned off the light, the smile just barely visible. "You're a good man Mark, I'll come see ya tomorrow night."
